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Reviews by Gina V. (Mesa, AZ)

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One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman

Hollywood Whodunit (12/30/2024)

A Hollywood whodunit with quirky, but fierce & ultimately lovable female main characters. Natasha Mason volunteers to be caustic, retired actress-turned lawyer, Julia Mann's sponsor and quickly wonders what the heck she has gotten herself into.

Julia is accused of …more

The Divorcees
by Rowan Beaird

Regret, Self-discovery, and starting over. (11/21/2023)

During a time when divorces were only granted upon proof of adultery (and then only after a one year wait), Nevada offered divorces based on 9 different grounds and no waiting period. All that was required was a 6-week residency in Nevada. Divorce ranches were established …more to give people seeking a divorce (mainly women) a place to stay during the 6-week residency period. The housing manager at the ranch had to confirm that the guest had not left the state for more than 24 hours during the 6 weeks.

Lois Saunders, a 20-something woman from the Midwest wants to leave her marriage to her cold, controlling husband who wants children while she doesn't. Lois's father sends her to a "respectable" divorce ranch - The Golden Yarrow - in Reno, Nevada with the understanding that, after the divorce, she returns to his home for 6 months maximum then finds someone else to marry.

When Lois arrives at The Golden Yarrow, she seems lost and confused as to who she is and what she really wants, although she does know she doesn't want to be married again. There are 7 other girls, who come and go, at the ranch and Lois doesn't fit in with them, as much as she would like to. When the mysterious Greer Lang arrives, things start to change. The girls become obsessed with the enigmatic Greer and try to emulate her brash, impudent ways much to proprietress, Rita's (& colleague, Bailey's) consternation. Greer and Lois form a strange connection, which alienates Lois further from the other girls. The author only skims the surface of the other girls (concentrating mainly on Lois and Greer) - just giving the reader a glimpse into their personalities and reasons for being at the ranch.

Neither Lois or Greer are particularly likable. Lois comes off as desperate and gullible and Greer seems selfish, mean, and a little psycho. As unconventional as her methods were, Greer does help Lois and the other girls to be able to see a world where they call their own shots, as opposed to everyone else calling the shots for them. I think Greer gave Lois the strength to manage life on her own after the divorce. After Lois asked Rita what golden yarrow was in the last chapter, I looked it up. Drugs.com says "yarrow has been used therapeutically as a strengthening, bitter tonic." To me, this was symbolic of the girls' experience at the ranch and with Greer.

I didn't love the book, but I didn't hate it. I found the concept of divorce ranches interesting and it gave me insight into the societal conventions surrounding that time. The Divorcees is definitely character-driven and a slow burn (lots of introspection from Lois), but could make for an interesting book club discussion. (less)

Do Tell: A Novel
by Lindsay Lynch

"I'm all ears — do tell!" (7/16/2023)

Set in the golden age of Hollywood, but still relevant today (unfortunately) - this is a novel of resiliency, resourcefulness, and reinvention.

When Edie's dream of being an actress is coming to an end and a major Tinseltown scandal that she has insider knowledge about is …more

Pieces of Blue
by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Heartwarming (3/11/2023)

Pieces of Blue is a heartwarming story of tragedy, hope, trust and redemption. The Hill family loses their father and takes a leap of faith by moving to Hawaii and buying a rundown hotel to try and reconfigure the pieces of their lives. There are secrets and revelations and …more

Margot: A Novel
by Wendell Steavenson

"What are we going to do about Margot?" (1/7/2023)

Margot is an in-depth character study of a girl growing up in a wealthy, wholly dysfunctional family during the tumultuous times of the 50s and 60s. Margot's mother wants nothing more than to marry Margot off to a rich boy, but Margot is different from most of the girls she …more

Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel
by Melissa Fu

Impressive debut novel (2/23/2022)

This heartbreaking and inspirational novel enlightened me to a period of history I didn't know much about - the Japanese invasion of China. It reminded me a bit of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah in regard to the bonds of family and the choices you make and lengths you go …more

How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan

Human migration (11/11/2021)

I read an article in National Geographic recently about human migration that talked about the reasons people move. They were called push factors (leaving a place because of a problem) & pull factors (moving because of something good). I think How to Find Your Way Home …more

At the Edge of the Haight
by Katherine Seligman

Captivating and frustrating (10/14/2020)

This book definitely left me with more questions than answers. I know very little about teenage homelessness, so this was very interesting and thought-provoking. I had a difficult time understanding the kids' aversion to being helped and their reasons for leaving home. It …more

The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull

Entertaining Read (7/24/2020)

Admittedly, historical fiction is not my favorite genre - I usually prefer books with a little more action/intrigue. That being said, this book did hold my attention throughout. I had heard of Wallis Simpson, but had no idea there was a "woman before Wallis" and really didn' …more

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Reviews by Gina V. (Mesa, AZ)

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